Once upon a time at the army Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas the medical staff knew and utilized the healing properties of Nature. A gate was built into the spear topped stone wall which separated the hospital grounds and Hot Springs National Park. The new gates opened onto the carriage road (manicured dirt/grass) so patients could be wheeled or walk into the park. After the stress of war the park offered gentle therapy to those in recovery.

Unfortunately today the gates are continually padlocked keeping the patients and their families from using the therapeutic benefits of Nature. When I see the gates shut and wrapped in heavy chains sadness fills my Soul. I have seen veterans peering through the gates in their wheel chairs and on crutches. It breaks my heart that they are so close yet so far from touching Nature’s healing power.

The six inch spears atop the fence loom large overwhelming the mammoth hospital buildings when I am on the park side looking at those who can no longer enter.

Ninety-one years ago the third iteration of the Arlington Hotel was built in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Once a haven for the wealthy horse and carriage set it is now a popular tourist destination for tourists traveling from the four corners of our planet.

The original hotel was built across Fountain Street on what is now the main walk in entrance to Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. An area known as the Arlington Lawn.

Today that connection to Hot Springs National Park is still intact. A secret board walk next to the pool area is a gateway into the park connecting with the often overlooked Arlington Trail Loop (part of original trail is covered by the later added pool area).

Never miss a chance to make this historic connection into Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

I am taking a photography journey via WordPress.com’s Blogging U Photo 101 course. Between now and my birthday (July 04th) the project will involve expanding my photography sight and insight. As for the daily project deadline the art of photography and life rarely go as planned.

I used the Hot Springs Cascade in Hot Springs National Park as my water feature. Horizontal and vertical images change the visibility of the landscape and the water flow in each photograph. The top two images were shot with my Motorola Maxx smartphone and present a broader view of the landscape and water flow. The 2nd and 3rd sets are shot with my Sony Alpha DSLR using a 70-400mm lens. I like details and focused on two different flow points in the overall cascade.

I am taking a photography journey via WordPress.com’s Blogging U Photo 101 course. Between now and my birthday (July 04th) the project will involve expanding my photography sight and insight. As for the daily project deadline the art of photography and life rarely go as planned.

Hot Springs, Arkansas Arlington Hotel

The Arlington Hotel is the central focal point of the Historic District on Central Avenue and Fountain Street in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Across the street from the entrance to Hot Springs National Park it has played host to both the famous and infamous (History: The Arlington Hotel). An aging lady of the south I decided to photograph her in the beautifying light of an early morning.

I spend most of my time photographing Nature (aka non man-made designs) and a street shot is always a big challenge for me. The top photo was taken with my new smartphone (Motorola Maxx HD), the bottom two with my Sony Alpha DSLR.